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immy Fitts, left, has been sought for his catering services for nearly 25 years. After retiring as a mail carrier in 1995, FItts found a new job in creating a variety of culinary items that have delighted many Colleton residents.
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Jimmy Fitts delights with his catering
or most of Colleton County, the name “Fitts” is almost a household word.
Anyone who has attended weddings, graduations, parties or holiday occasions in the area has probably sampled Jimmy Fitts’ cuisine. Most county-wide events will find the Fitts family and friends there, catering. After Fitts’ cooking for 25 years locally, people have come to know and appreciate Jimmy Fitts’ food. In 1995 Jimmy heard about some land for sale in the area. As a rural mail carrier in Yemassee, Colleton and Hampton counties for 35 years, he was looking forward to a peaceful place to settle down. He purchased the property and continued delivering mail. Finding pleasure in cooking for friends, Jimmy enjoyed his hobby, never dreaming it would go beyond that. “One day a friend suggested that I start a catering business, and that got me thinking. So word spread around, and 25 years later, here I am,” said Fitts. With the help of members of his family and close friends, Fitts cater16
ing has come a long way. Some weeks he can’t make enough of everyone’s favorites: pulled pork and fried chicken … just about the best you can eat anywhere. But catering isn’t as easy as it sounds and has its own issues. “Working most weekends can really be hard,” said Fitts, then he laughed. “But it’s worse when it’s raining! It’s also a trial trying to keep food hot when it’s cold outside, and being on time when traffic is bad.” He has had several mishaps during his catering career, but his favorite anecdote is when his helpers prepared three fuel tanks that were placed in a circle. Unaware that the tanks were lit, Jimmy was standing in the center of the tanks when for some reason, the tanks shot out huge flames. “Everyone took off running and shouting … leaving me standing in the middle of the flames!” he chuckled. Even with all of these issues, Jimmy loves catering. “Working together with my wife, family, and friends is rewarding. It gives us a chance to do things together; it has brought us closer,” said Fitts. He has no plans to stop anytime soon. “I plan on catering for a couple more years,” he said. “I really enjoy meeting new people, and nothing is any better than when people tell me that my food is great!” Lowcountry Rocks 2020
